COATING REMOVAL

PLASMABLAST ™ PRECISION COATING REMOVAL SYSTEM

Within both the federal government and the private sector, there is a growing need for environmentally safe and cost-effective solutions capable of removing paint and coatings from a wide range of surfaces including steel, aluminum, concrete and composites. PlasmaBlast™ is the next generation of coating removal and surface preparation technology that represents a significant step forward in developing environmentally responsible methods for coating removal.

Tested in U.S. government trials, PlasmaBlast™ is found to be a safe and effective alternative to media blasting and wet abrasive blasting. The PlasmaBlast™ system, which requires only compressed air and electricity to operate, creates a concentrated, low-temperature air plasma beam. This beam can be used for rapid coating removal without the use of any media, virtually eliminating the need for containment. Single or multiple plasma beams may be configured for handheld or machine-mounted use to prepare a variety of substrates. The coating removal and cleaning process converts the organic components of most paint, sealants, and protective coatings into carbon dioxide and water vapor. Inorganic constituents of the coatings, such as pigments, are then recovered as a fine dust.

PLASMABLAST™ PB-6000

PlasmaBlast™ PB-6000 is the world’s first plasma-based coating removal system that quickly and safely removes hard-to-remove protective coatings and sealants. Using an air plasma beam, the PlasmaBlast™ precision coating removal system can reliably remove coatings from virtually any substrate material, enabling the inspection of critical welds and joints on a wide range of commercial and government infrastructure equipment. Unlike traditional coating removal methods, PlasmaBlast™ does not use abrasive media or chemicals, reducing the need for containment and the disposal of waste by-products. The system can significantly reduce the cost of the coating removal process, while increasing the productivity and safety for workers.

The PlasmaBlast ™system uses electricity and a low-pressure compressed air source to produce a special form of atmospheric-pressure air plasma. The plasma beam is scanned across a coated surface to remove the coating layer-by-layer, allowing for full or selective removal, in addition to cleaning and surface preparation. The PlasmaBlast system vaporizes most paint and coatings into harmless gases and leaves behind a small amount of dust that is safely collected with a vacuum. Because the plasma is able to flow around surface features, it is well suited to treat both flat and more complex surfaces.

FEATURES

Lightweight and portable, weighs less than 30 lbs

Media-and chemical-free, minimal clean-up

Uses only air and electricity

Simple and quick mobilization

APPLICATIONS

Non-destructive inspection (NDI)

Spot coating removal

Hard-to-remove sealants and adhesives removal

SYSTEM COMPONENTS

The two main components of a PlasmaBlast™ coating removal system are the power supply and plasma applicator pen that are connected by an air/power umbilical cable. The power supply provides the electrical power to excite the air into the plasma state and the plasma pen forms and shapes the plasma beam. The prototype system weighs less than 30 pounds, uses compressed air and runs on less than 2.5 kW of power from a standard 240 Volt outlet, making it a truly portable and easily-deployed system. Because the technology does not use abrasive media, water or chemicals to remove coatings, the system can be used in both confined and open spaces, adding to its versatility.

The utility requirements are easily met at most commercial/industrial facilities. The system is also easily operated using a field-portable gasoline- or diesel-powered generator and air compressor.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

ELECTRICAL

Input Voltage:

208-240 VAC, 60/400Hz, Single Phase

Input Current:

11 A

MECHANICAL

Dimensions:

14.75" x 14.0" x 5.5" (37.5 cm x 35.6 cm x 14.0 cm) (L x W x H)

Weight:

27 lbs (12.2 kg) without cables

CONNECTIONS

Power Cable:

IEC 320-C20

Operating Gas:

Air - 2.5 CFM @ 90 psi

Plasma Cable:

Cable and plasma pen assembly (provided) - 25 ft (7.6 m)

FREE TESTING

APS offers free testing services for your samples.

More Information

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